Stories about Governance from June, 2015
Jailed in Singapore for Criticizing a Former Prime Minister, But Still Blogging
"Everyday my cellmates would eagerly wait for that light to dissipate, knowing that another day has passed, and they’re one day closer to attaining their freedom."
Tunisians Point Fingers at Government Security Failures After Resort Attack
In the aftermath of a beach resort attack that left 39 people dead, Tunisians are criticizing their government's security failures.
A ‘Peace Community’ Tries Nonviolent Resistance in Colombia
As Colombian peace talks over an end to decades-old civil violence between government and rebels proceed, some communities have claimed neutral status for themselves in the name of peace.
India's Justice System Is in a Sorry, Sorry State
There is slow, painfully slow and then there is India's judiciary.
The Internet, a Staging Post for Protests in Ecuador, Is Under Threat
Participants in recent protests in Ecuador accuse government of illegally signal jamming communication between protestors. Peer-to-peer apps may be the solution.
‘Transitioning Cambodia’ Photo Book Illustrates Cambodia’s Uneven Development
"People tell us they are happy there is a book that looks at Cambodia as it is—not just the temples of Angkor or photos of children riding an oxcart."
Girl Group Goes Head-to-Head With Japanese Prime Minister Over Reinterpreting Constitution
A Japanese girl group's clash with municipal government highlights increasingly vocal opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government.
God Sets Term Limits, Not the Constitution, Says Longtime Gambian President Jammeh
Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh opposes presidential term limits. He believes God decides term limits and if God is willing, he may rule The Gambia for "one billion years."
Copa América Shows How Little Love Chileans Have for President Bachelet
"It would've been much more honorable to present herself to the country and take the jokes stoically, but she decided to hide."
Hong Kong's Legislature Went Off Script, and the Pro-Beijing Establishment Is Not Happy
After Hong Kong's legislature vetoed China-backed electoral reform, a pro-Beijing news outlet warned the city's autonomy could be in jeopardy if voters don't kick out pan-democrats in next year's elections.
Bolivia Greenlights Controversial Highway, Oil and Gas Extraction in National Parks
Bolivian President Evo Morales escalates the stakes in the debate over extractivism as an anti-poverty strategy.
An Official White House Visit to Ethiopia? Africans Tell Obama ‘Don't Do It!’
Despite recent elections that swept the one opposition member from parliament, US President Barack Obama is planning a visit to Ethiopia.
Macedonian Activist Ends Hunger Strike for Migrant Rights
On Saturday, June 20, human rights expert and activist Suad Missini ended the hunger strike he started six days prior in protest of inhumane treatment of migrants passing through Macedonia. Mr. Missini issued the following statement [links added]: While the effects of the changes of the Asylum Law are yet to...
Citizen Media Shows Why India Is Unlikely to Reach Its Millennium Goals Target for Maternal Mortality
India is behind both Nepal and Bangladesh in terms of reducing maternal mortalities. States where the caste system is embedded, religious minorities and migrants suffer most.
Infographic Shows Thailand Junta Arrested Hundreds in the Past Year for Criticizing the Government
The free speech advocate iLaw uploaded an infographic which showed that 166 people have been arrested in the past year in Thailand for expressing an opinion against the military-backed government. The army grabbed power in May 2014 but it vowed to restore civilian rule and conduct free elections next year....
How Balochistan's Coastal Highway Cut Awaran Off From the Rest of the World
The well-financed coastal highway has taken traffic away from Turbat Road, which was once a major source of livelihood for Awaran, the poorest district in Pakistan's poorest province Balochistan.
Bicyclists, Hang Up That Phone. Japan’s Traffic Laws Just Got Tougher
The newly revised laws are meant to curb dangerous behaviour, such as riding through stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians, and riding while drunk or holding an umbrella.
Is the Kremlin Watering Down Russia's ‘Right to Be Forgotten’?
Kremlin officials and Yandex reportedly reached a compromise that will weaken the next draft of legislation designed to introduce to the RuNet a "right to be forgotten."
The Deaths of Four Siblings Shines a Harsh Light on China's 60 Million ‘Left-Behind’ Children
"How can CCTV deny [the government’s] responsibility? Isn't society accountable for four children choosing suicide by drinking pesticide?"
How the Kremlin Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Online News Aggregation
According to a new study, the Kremlin appears to have mastered several ways to fool Yandex.News into promoting government-planted stories to an audience that surpassed 23 million people in April.
Zambia's Government Plans to Buy Police Cars That Cost Half a Million Dollars Each
"[D]o these vehicles refuel themselves, do they also stop crime on their own..are they automated cops?"